The One Group of Social Security Recipients Receiving Payments This Week

November 27, 2025 kenra

The Social Security payment schedule plays a major role in helping retirees, disabled individuals, and survivors plan their monthly finances. In November, the final Social Security payment for beneficiaries born in the last days of the month was delivered on Wednesday, November 26, marking the completion of the month’s payout cycle. Below is a complete breakdown of November payments, the December 2025 Social Security schedule, exceptions to the SS calendar, and the confirmed 2.8% COLA increase for 2026.

November 2025 Social Security Payments Overview

Final November Payment Delivered

The last November Social Security payment went out on November 26 to beneficiaries whose birthdays fall between the 21st and 31st.
This was the third and final scheduled deposit of the month.

Previous November Disbursements

Social Security benefits were also released earlier in the month according to the SSA’s long-standing birthdate-based payment system:

November 12 – For individuals born between the 1st and 10th
November 19 – For individuals born between the 11th and 20th

This staggered system has been used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) for decades to organize benefit distribution.

December 2025 Social Security Payment Dates

The Social Security Administration will continue its standard payment sequence in December 2025, ensuring a reliable monthly income for more than 71 million beneficiaries.

How Payments Are Sent

Most recipients receive their funds through:

Direct deposit, the fastest and most secure method
Mailed checks, available in limited or exceptional circumstances

December 2025 Schedule (Birthdate-Based)

The monthly payment cycle for December will follow these dates:

Wednesday, December 10 – Birthdates: 1st to 10th
Wednesday, December 17 – Birthdates: 11th to 20th
Wednesday, December 24 – Birthdates: 21st to 31st

This final December payment also marks the last Social Security payment of 2025.

Exceptions to the Standard SSA Calendar

Beneficiaries Paid Before May 1997

Not every Social Security recipient follows the birthdate-based system.
People who began receiving benefits before May 1997 follow a different schedule, receiving their payment on the 3rd of each month.

SSI + Social Security Recipients

Those who collect both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may see adjusted dates, as the two programs coordinate payments differently.

In general, the regular birthdate-based cycle is used for most beneficiaries, but the SSA publishes updates annually to prevent any confusion.

2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA)

A 2.8% Increase for All Beneficiaries

A major update for beneficiaries is the confirmed 2.8% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2026.
This increase will officially apply to payments beginning January 2026.

Why the COLA Increased

The COLA is calculated using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).
The 2.8% rise:

Is higher than the 2.5% COLA applied in 2025
Reflects inflation changes measured during the final quarter of the fiscal year
Ensures beneficiaries maintain their purchasing power as prices rise

Approximately 71 million Social Security and SSI recipients will benefit from this increase.

How Much Will Benefits Rise in 2026?

The 2.8% COLA increase will deliver a noticeable boost in monthly checks.

Example of the Increase

A beneficiary receiving an average of $1,920 per month in 2025 will see their payment grow by roughly:

$54 more per month
Beginning January 2026

Around 75 million people nationwide will receive this higher payment amount.

State Stimulus Checks Begin Arriving as Year-End Financial Relief Rolls Out — this update highlights how many states are now sending out year-end payments to help families manage rising living costs. These state stimulus checks are part of broader relief plans designed to support low-income households, seniors, and working families before the year ends. The rollout ensures that eligible residents receive timely financial assistance to cover essential needs such as groceries, utilities, and holiday expenses.

Conclusion

The Social Security payment schedule for November and December 2025 remains consistent with the SSA’s long-standing birthdate-based system. The upcoming 2.8% COLA increase for 2026 ensures that millions of retirees, disabled individuals, and survivors continue to keep pace with rising living costs. With clear payment dates and an automatic annual adjustment, beneficiaries can plan their finances with greater confidence and stability.